wann ist der crp wert erhöht — what does this mean exactly?

CRP (C-reactive protein) is a non-specific inflammatory marker produced by the liver. Levels are considered elevated when above 5 mg/L (some labs use 3 or 10 mg/L). Causes include acute infections (bacterial > viral), chronic inflammatory diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis), tissue damage (surgery, trauma), malignancies, and mild elevations in metabolic syndrome, smoking, or obesity. Very high levels (>100 mg/L) typically indicate severe bacterial infection or sepsis. The test is sensitive but not specific – it signals inflammation without pinpointing the source or cause. For consumer fingerstick tests (e.g., MyBody-X), a single elevated reading is not diagnostic. Diurnal variation is minimal, but acute stress (exercise, emotional) can transiently raise CRP. Importantly, CRP alone does not predict long-term risk unless measured as high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) for cardiovascular assessment. Persistently elevated CRP warrants medical investigation. Evidence: strong clinical consensus, but interpretation requires clinical context.